Magic GM receives death threats

John Weisbrod, the Magic’s general manager, has twice received written death threats at his suburban Orlando home and was forced to retreat to a hotel last week and check in under an alias after he traded star guard Tracy McGrady.

The first incident happened June 17, the day word broke that McGrady was probably finished in Orlando. A written note threatening Weisbrod’s life was taped to the front door of his house.

The latest incident happened last Wednesday, the day the Magic officially traded McGrady and three others to the Houston Rockets for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. Threatening messages were written with a marker on the glass front door of Weisbrod’s house.

“Both incidents were threatening my life,” said Weisbrod, who added that the second incident upset him much more.

“I get harassing correspondence all the time but when it starts happening at your house, that raises the bar to a different level,” he said.

“The Magic continued remaking their roster by agreeing to a six-year, $39 million offer sheet with restricted free agent Hedo Turkoglu of the Spurs.

Lakers still coachless, for now

Lakers remained without a coach late Wednesday, but the hiring of Rudy Tomjanovich appeared imminent.

“We feel we’ve identified the guy that we want to hire,” Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said Tuesday, adding he hoped to have a coach in place by the end of the week.

Kupchak didn’t identify Tomjanovich, but all indications are he’s the only viable candidate remaining after Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, North Carolina coach Roy Williams and Miami Heat president Pat Riley decided to remain in their current positions.

Alston agrees to terms with Raptors

Free agent point guard Rafer Alston signed a six-year contract worth up to $30 million with the Toronto Raptors, his agent said.

“We do have an agreement and Rafer is thrilled,” said Paul Nadel, who works with Fegan and Associates.

Raptors spokesman Jim LaBumbard confirmed Wednesday that the team was in negotiations with Alston but would not confirm the signing.

Five first-rounders sign up

Dwight Howard, the overall No. 1 selection by the Magic, and teammate Jameer Nelson were two of five first-round picks who signed with their NBA team.

Howard, an 18-year-old forward who played at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy last season, was the first of eight high school players taken in the first 19 picks of last month’s draft.

Nelson, the Associated Press player of the year, led Saint Joseph’s to a 27-0 regular season and 30-2 overall record, averaging 20.6 points and 5.3 assists per game.

Andris Biedrins, the 11th pick in the first round, signed with Golden State, while Kevin Martin, the 26th pick, signed with Sacramento and David Harrison, the 29th and last pick of the first round, signed with Indiana.